Classics
- Latin and Classical Civilisation are offered by the St Mary's Classics Department
- The department achieves excellent results in GCSE and AS/A2 examinations.
- Events such as Latin reading competitions, picnics or trips to plays, lectures, museums and occasionally Classical sites in Greece or Italy are organised.
- Classical Civilisation affords pupils a taste of the fascinating vibrancy of ancient writing, drama and ways of life.
- Latin offers clear understanding of language structure and word origins. When literature is studied at GCSE and above, Latin also develops pupils' technical understanding of writing skills, as well as providing interesting glimpses into the lives and times of prominent Romans.
Structure of the Latin course
Upper III to Upper IV (Years 7 to 9):
Beginners' Latin is compulsory for most pupils, studying Book 1of the Cambridge Latin Course in Year 7 then changing to So you really want to learn Latin? in Years 8 and above. Some sets might be switched to Classical Civilisation in Year 8 or 9 if they have run out of steam with Latin!
Lower and Upper V (Years 10 and 11):
Pupils choosing Latin GCSE study more advanced Latin grammar with So you really want to learn Latin? and also read the prose and verse literature required for the Set Texts section of the OCR Latin GCSE specification.
6th Form (Years 12 and 13):
Girls study both language and literature for the AS and A2 exams. OCR specification.
Structure of the Classical Civilisation course
Lower and Upper IV (Years 8 and 9)
Some sets might be switched from Latin to Classical Civilisation in Year 8 or 9 if they have run out of steam with Latin. A variety of topics based on literature, civilisation or mythology is studied.
Lower and Upper V (Years 10 and 11):
GCSE Classical Civilisation is offered. The OCR specification is followed; chosen topics might include Greek Athletic Festivals, Roman Religion, Greek Tragedy, Ovid's Metamorphoses or Homer's Odyssey.
6th Form (Years 12 and 13):
Pupils prepare for the AQA Classical Civilisation specification. For AS, the topics are usually Homer's Odyssey and Lives of Women in Ancient Greece and Rome; for A2 pupils usually study Virgil's Aeneid and Greek Tragedy.
